WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI – The Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball team dropped its opening round NCAA Division II South Central Regional matchup against St. Mary’s, 8-4 on Thursday afternoon at Crane Stadium.  The six-team regional is hosted by Central Missouri.

The Javelinas (31-17) got the game off to a great start by scoring three runs in the top of the first inning off South Central Region Pitcher of the Year Carl O’Neal.  Jake Mendiola (Kingsville/Richland Northeast HS) and Cameron Dullnig (San Antonio/Clark HS) each drove in runs and the third run scored via wild pitch.

The Rattlers (45-8) were able to score a run in the second and fourth innings to get back in the game while the Javelinas wasted opportunities in the second and fourth innings to extend their lead.

The Rattlers got things going in the bottom of the sixth inning.  A lead-off walk and a pair of infield singles loaded the bases with no outs and forced Javelina head coach Jason Gonzales to go to the bullpen.  Adam Aspaas (San Marcos, CA/Mission Hills HS) struck out the first batter, but then walked the next to force in the tying run.  Ivan Sigala and Josh McElroy followed with back-to-back two-run singles to make it a 7-3 game.

The Rattlers added another run in the seventh inning.

The Javelinas put runners on first and third with one out in the eighth inning, but a double play ended the threat.  In the ninth, they loaded the bases with one out and were able to score once, but could not get any closer.

O’Neal picked up the win for the Rattlers to improve to 13-0 on the season.  He allowed five hits, three runs and five walks in 7.0 innings while striking out three.  Jonathan Perez recorded the final two outs of the game to earn his 17th save of the season.  Jaden Dillon (Bridge City/Bridge City HS) took the loss after giving up six hits, five runs and two walks in 5.0 innings for the Hogs.

M.P. Cokinos went 3-for-3 with a double and three runs scored to headline the Rattler offense.  Sigala finished with a game-high three runs batted in.

The Javelinas managed seven hits in the contest.  Trent Wagner (Victoria/Memorial HS) had two base hits while James Wallace (Corpus Christi/Tuloso-Midway HS) had the team’s only extra base hit with a double.

The Javelinas will play the loser of the Central Missouri-St. Edward’s game at 11 a.m. on Friday.  St. Mary’s will play the winner of Angelo State and Southern Arkansas at 7 p.m. on Friday.
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